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American prices are still among the cheapest in the world, in large part due to low taxation. Only 19 percent of the pump price of fuel in the US is attributable to taxes. Pretty much the only countries in the world with cheaper gas than the US are major exporters of oil that essentially give gas away. In the UK, more than 81 percent of the current 9$ price of a gallon of fuel goes to taxes.

So why are foreign fuel taxes so high? Is it because the US is really cruel and doesn't tax drivers enough to support more social programs?

Dude, seriously, WHAT handkerchief?

snooggums' density principal: "The more dense a population, the more dense a population."

Iliana: "You're a great friend but if we're ever chased by zombies I'm tripping you."

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I always laugh when people use this argument. Fact is, we ARE paying more than everyone else simply because we're not taxed (nearly). Just about every penny is going into corporate pockets, not back into the govt. coffers. If you take the taxes away from foreign countries with higher gas prices then us, you end up with a grossly cheaper product.

Then you hear the argument that countries with cheap gas are SUBSIDIZING prices so that the citizens can afford it. Welp, most of these countries either have EXTREMELY low populations, sickeningly low demand, are developing (so cheaper prices give a boost to commerce and production), OR are non-socialist countries that simply produce their own fuel (ala Venezuela). Socialist countries such as Norway actually produce their own fuels, but tax them heavily... all the while the "people" themselves OWN the fuel/resources - so profits go back into their pockets (one reason why Norweigians have the higher per capita in the world). Venezuelans dont see the profits so the govt. gives them a break by subsidization.

We pay what we pay because we're dumb enough to, we dont own our country's resources, we need them most, and because our govt. is corrupt and mindless. All that = inflated prices.

The free-market system is all about choices. You choose to pay more for fuel because you choose not to experience the situation you would be in without it, which may range from riding a bicycle to the grocery store every day or two and buying the discout products, or changing your career because it is no longer profitable.

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*raise hand* i need premium... my German built luxury cruiseliner gets 18 MPG and requires use of Premium Unleaded Fuel only. but you know a full tank costs me about $75 bucks and gets me around 300mi range which is more then enough for me. what i dont understand is i have friend who spend a ton of money on making there nice little efficient cars inefficient. i knew a guy who spent enough money on his car to buy a porsche so i wonder why didnt he just buy a prosche?

I will not place claymores in my front yard.
I will not place claymores in my front yard.

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*raise hand* i need premium... my German built luxury cruiseliner gets 18 MPG and requires use of Premium Unleaded Fuel only. but you know a full tank costs me about $75 bucks and gets me around 300mi range which is more then enough for me. what i dont understand is i have friend who spend a ton of money on making there nice little efficient cars inefficient. i knew a guy who spent enough money on his car to buy a porsche so i wonder why didnt he just buy a prosche?

I need it too. My car runs like crap on anything less than 93 and my overall MPG suffers greatly using low-octane gas. I did the math at one point and the increase in fuel efficiency paid more than paid for the increase in gas cost. Not to mention peace of mind that my car is running well and not choking.

Diplomacy is the art of saying "good doggie" while looking for a bigger stick.

If you consider we actually have a kind of hidden fuel tax on top of the tax we actually pay at the pump, gas all of a sudden gets a lot more expensive. If you took that tax out of personal income taxes and where ever else it comes from, and put the tax in with a gallon of gas, the price would go WAY up. And in all honesty, that is where it should be charged. So people that choose to ride public trans. or bike don't get charged (except for rider fees like on the metro).